"The doctor's got queer notions,"muttered Mrs.Slocum."If he talks that way,mebbe the minister will get discontented.But as I say to Deacon Slocum,there's more to be had,and younger men,too.I sometimes think the minister's outlived his usefulness here.A young man might kinder stir up the people more,and make 'em feel more convicted of sin.But I must go and tell the folks about the new school teacher.I'd like to see what sort she is."Mrs.
Slocum's curiosity was gratified.On her way back from the store she saw Miss Frost sitting at the open window of her chamber in the hotel.
"Looks as if she might be proud,"muttered the old lady."Fond of dress,too.I don't believe she'll do for Granville."Although Mrs.Slocum was in a hurry to get home she could not resist the temptation to call at Squire Hadley's and let him know that the school teacher had arrived.Squire Benjamin Hadley was the chairman of the School Committee.
Either of the two Granville ministers would have been better fitted for the office,but the Methodists were unwilling to elect the Congregational minister,and the Methodist minister was opposed by members of the other parish.So Squire Hadley was appointed as the compromise candidate,although he was a man who would probably have found it extremely difficult to pass the most lenient examination himself.He had left school at twelve years of age,and circumstances had prevented his repairing the defects of early instruction.
There were times when he was troubled by a secret sense of incompetence --notably when he was called upon to examine teachers.He had managed to meet this emergency rather cleverly,as he thought,having persuaded Mr.Wilson to draw up for him a series of questions in the different branches,together with the correct answers.With this assistance he was able to acquit himself creditably.
"Can't stay a minute,Squire,"said Mrs.Slocum,standing on the broad,flat door stone."I thought I'd jest stop an'tell ye the school teacher has come.""Where is she?"asked the Squire,in a tone of interest.
"She put up at the hotel.I was there jest now,and saw her two trunks.Rather high toned for a school teacher,I think.We don't need two trunks for our clothes,Mrs.Hadley.""Young people are terrible extravagant nowadays,"said Mrs.Hadley,a tall woman,with a thin,hatchet-like face,and a sharp nose.It wasn't so when I was young.""That's a good while ago,Lucretia,"said the Squire,jokingly.
"You're older than I am,"said the lady tartly."It don't become you to sneer at my age.""I didn't mean anything,Lucretia,"said her husband in an apologetic tone.
"Did you see the woman,Mrs.Slocum?"asked Mrs.Hadley,condescending to let the matter drop.
"I jest saw her looking out of the window,"said Mrs.Slocum."Looks like a vain,conceited sort.""Very likely she is.Mr.Hadley engaged her without knowin'anythin'about her.""You know,Lucretia,she was highly recommended by Mary Bridgman in the letter I received from her,"the Squire mildly protested.
"Mary Bridgman,indeed!"his wife retorted with scorn."What does she know of who's fit to teach school?""Well,we must give her a fair show.I'll call round to the hotel after tea,and see her.""It's her place to call here,I should say,"said the Squire's wife,influenced by a desire to see and judge the stranger for herself.
"I will tell her to call here tomorrow morning to be examined,"said the Squire.
"What hour do you think you'll app'int?"asked Mrs.Slocum,with a vague idea of being present on that occasion.
